Personal finance advice and information.

Personal Loans

These days approximately 65% of people in the UK who get personal loans apply online because of how quick and convenient it is. Applying for a loan has never been so easy, and it’s important that you get all of the tips you can to increase your chances of approval. Not everyone who applies for these loans gets approved, and sometimes it’s just because they went about it entirely the wrong way. These tips will help to increase your chances of getting the money you need as swiftly as possible and without any headaches.

1. Decide What is Important to You in Your Loan

The first thing that you should do before applying for a loan of any kind online is to determine what is important to you. Is it crucial that you have a low interest rate, or are you just looking for a lender that will look past your low credit rating? By taking the time to think about this, you will know exactly how to proceed. Some lenders will be able to meet your needs better than others, but you must figure out what your specific requirements are.

2. Consider Applying for an Online Loan if You Have Bad Credit

A lot of people apply for online loans because there are many lenders who will look past their low credit scores. It is a fact that most private online lenders have much lower standards for applicants’ credit than banks or even credit unions. You will find that some lenders don’t even run credit checks on applicants. If your credit has become an obstacle for you when it comes to getting a loan, going online could be the right choice.

3. Explore Peer-to-Peer Websites

Peer-to-peer lending websites have really blown up in popularity in recent years for a number of reasons, including the fact that they give out smaller loans than most other lenders. If you need a small loan and have less-than-stellar credit, this is certainly one option that you should look into. You can apply online and it only takes a few minutes. You will likely get better terms than with a bank, so that is something to keep in mind. There are many different peer-to-peer lenders, so you will therefore need to spend some time looking into the choices you have before deciding on one in particular.

4. Stay Away from Unsecured Websites

The last thing you want to do is apply for a loan on a website that isn’t completely secure. You will always be able to tell if a lender’s site is secure by looking for the “HTTPS” that appears just before the web address. An overwhelming majority of lenders have completely secure websites, so you won’t have to worry about your identity being stolen. With all of the malicious hackers that exist in the world, it will be necessary to keep this in mind. If you aren’t sure about a certain website’s security, it is always a good idea to move on to another site that you can trust completely.

5. Shop Around

The best way to get a great deal on an online personal loan is to shop around and see what different lenders have to offer. You don’t want to get a loan with the first lender you come across, because you will very likely end up paying more than you have to. Find out what sort of interest rate each lender can offer you so that you can get the money you need with a low APR. You should also find out what kinds of terms these lenders can offer so that you don’t get ripped off in any way.

6. Get Organized Before Applying

While it’s true that applying for an online personal loan doesn’t take very long and is extremely simple, you will still want to make sure that you are fully prepared by getting together any required documents. Most lenders will want proof of your income, age and citizenship before they will even consider giving you a loan. This means that you will need to get copies of your bank statements, paystubs and your personal ID. When you take the time to get this information together, you will help this entire process move along as swiftly as possible.

7. Know Your Credit Score

Your credit score will be a factor when it comes to whether or not you are going to get approved for the loan you need, though many private online lenders are willing to look past a low score. You shouldn’t have a problem with finding a lender that doesn’t run credit checks or accepts applicants with bad credit. It is still good to know where you stand with your credit though, and everyone should check their credit report and score at least one each year.

8. Know What Type of Loan You Need

Every loan has a different set of requirements, so you will therefore need to make a point of determining which kind you need. If you want a secured loan, you will have to put some sort of property up as collateral. Unsecured loans do not require collateral, though they tend to have higher interest rates. The more time you take to think about this, the easier it will be to get the money you need quickly.

Who Should Apply for an Online Loan?

One of the best things about online loans is that they can accommodate the needs of just about everyone. Those who have bad credit will be particularly interested in this option because of how easy these loans are to get. If you are in a hurry and need money fast for whatever reason, you will find that an online loan is the most expedient means of obtaining funds. You can borrow a significant amount of money with online loans, though the amount you are allowed to borrow will depend on a number of things. In the end you will not regret exploring this borrowing options because of everything it has to offer.